|
Scouting Dayton-Game 2!!!!
By
Andy Mac Williams,
2/15/2013
The Muskies pushed past the Flyers 66-61 at Cintas just over two weeks ago. UD almost forced overtime despite XU's domination on the boards and in the hustle categories. Dayton shoots the "3" well. That talent was almost the equalizer in Cincy.
UD has lost 4 of its last 5 games-all in the A-10 staring with Xavier. They traveled to St Louis and got shellacked,then won at home over a puzzling St Joe's team, then lost to Temple at UD Arena in a bizarre finish 72-71. Wednesday nite the Flyers lost late at Rhode Island 75-72.
Dayton's 13-11 overall and 3-7 in the Atlantic 10. That's 13th in a league that includes just the Top 12 in the conference tournament at Brooklyn. UD has lost 7 games by a total of 10 points. They are 10-4 at home with one point losses to Weber St,Illinois St and Temple plus a 78-73 defeat to nationally rated Butler.
This will not be easy for XU. The Muskies won at UD Arena in 2011 but lost badly there in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Last season the Muskies were blown out in the first half-giving up 46 points. It was ugly. X is a lot more invested in defense and rebounding this season and the offense has been coming around. Dayton has struggled with turnovers and inside toughness (or lack thereof).
Archie Miller is playing his freshman more. Devin Scott the wide body from Columbus Northland started his first game ever Wed. at URI(17 min-6 points-3 rebounds). His HS teammate Jalen Robinson is the first man off the bench and played well vs XU. Canadian frosh Deshawn Pierre struggled at Xavier,but he's scored 24 with 20 rebounds the last two games playing heavy minutes and getting a ton of FT chances. Frosh guard Khari Price has missed 4 straight with a thigh bruise. He shadowed Brad Redford at Cintas and shut Brad down. The three UD rookie big men Scott,Pierre and Robinson have to play well for the Flyers to cruise against Xavier.
Starting guards Kevin Dillard and Vee Sanford hardly come off the floor. X kept Dillard out of the lane at Cintas so he buried 4 3 pointers. Sanford has nice size and is tough off the dribble. He pumped in 16 at XU. Price's injury hampers UD's rotation. Also, Matt Derenbecker who scored 9 at XU is slumping (no points last 3 games). Price could play and Derenbecker might find the range. Who Knows?
Dayton has some match-up problems without those two contributing. The Flyer's best overall overachiever is swing man Devin Oliver (24 points-18 rebounds-5 assists last 2 games). He hustles all the time. Senior center Josh Benson has struggled. He was shaky at XU (3 points-1 rebound-avoided the heavy going inside) and lost his starting job. Benson missed key FTs in the tight Temple loss and continues to get into foul trouble.
Expect a big surge of initial emotion from the Flyers in front of a sellout crowd and an ESPN2 audience (12 noon Tip-Saturday). Xavier will need an all hands on deck performance. The Muskies can't let UD get running and shooting open "3s". XU needs to win this in the 60's and the halfcourt. Dee Davis was MVP of Game One with 14 points-5 assists and critical FTs. He needs an encore performance.
Justin Martin has scored 31 the last two games and rediscovered his wing 3 point stroke. He and Redford need to make long shots. Dayton has problems consistently guarding the perimeter due to a lack of back court depth and some inexperience. X has to take advantage by making open looks. XU is 14-9 overall and 7-3 in the A-10-tied for 3rd with LaSalle and Butler.
VCU blitzed UMass Thursday nite. They're first (8-2) followed by St Louis (7-2). UMass and Charlotte are hanging in at 6-4. Charlotte won at Butler this week. They play at SLU Sat. UMass hosts Temple (5-5).The Temple Owls lost 84-83 Thursday nite at home to last place Duquesne. LaSalle plays a BIG FIVE game against St Joe's(5-5) at the Palestra. Butler still without Andrew Smith meets Fordham at Rose Hill.
|
|
